Warm air from the Caribbean will bring a welcome end the UK’s cold weather this weekend, with temperatures over the next few days set to match those in the Middle East.
The mercury is expected to hit 17C on Monday in some areas of the UK, with the South East expected to enjoy the best of the weather.
On the same day, the same temperature is forecast for Beirut, in Lebanon and Baghdad, in Iraq – a country which frequently sees some of the hottest temperatures on the planet.
"Last week we were seeing quite chilly temperatures but the mild weather is going to continue," said Met Office spokesperson Ollie Claydon.
"There's a warmer sector that's going to come over on Monday. Its source region in Florida and the Caribbean. "
There will be a cloudy start to Saturday, with some rain in the North West, but spots of sunshine are likely emerge in the South East. Conditions on Sunday are likely to be similar.
Temperatures on both days will be in the low teens.
However, temperatures of 17C are likely on Monday, in areas including the North East, the UK's eastern coastal regions up to Aberdeen, and London.
It will be bright in the South East but cloudy elsewhere. The country is also likely to experience winds and it will be particularly breezy in the North.
